I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

October 13, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 65, 142
Hosea 9:10-17
Acts 24:24-25:12
Luke 8:1-15

II. Selections
Psalm 51:3
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.

Hosea 9:10
Like grapes in the wilderness,
I found Israel.
Like the first fruit on the fig tree,
in its first season,
I saw your ancestors.
But they came to Baal-peor,
and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame,
and became detestable like the thing they loved.

Acts 24:25
And as [ Paul] discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you."

Luke 8:7
" ...Some [ seed] fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. ... " [ Jesus to the crowd]

III. Meditation: Postponement requested

You intended us to be
like grapes in the wilderness
or the first fruits on the fig tree,
but we have chosen to be
like the thorns that surround us
and choke us.

We know our transgressions,
and our sin is ever before us,
but we dare not face it.
When confronted,
we become frightened-
and request a postponement.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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